Energy, Environment & Sustainability

Cornell is a global leader in sustainability and climate change research, teaching and engagement. Our campuses are living laboratories for developing, testing and implementing solutions that address these most challenging issues.


Trading coal cars for e-bikes, rail trail promotes sustainability

With support from Cornell, the Dryden Rail Trail is a step closer to connecting Ithaca and several nearby communities with a corridor that enables off-street commuting and expands access to natural areas.

Hochul names Cornellians to NYS climate assessment project

Several Cornellians – appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul – will explore how the warming environment will affect New York’s communities, ecosystems and economy in the new Climate Impacts Assessment project.

Chobani grant supports future of sustainability in dairy

As the dairy industry faces mounting pressure from consumers to report on environmental sustainability impacts, a collaboration between Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Chobani is aimed at helping dairy farmers reduce their environmental footprint.

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Cornell graduate award to accelerate niche research in global development

A new graduate award will empower Cornell graduate students in global development to pursue innovative thinking in their studies and careers.  The Ronny Adhikarya Niche Award (RANA) provides $10,000 in funding to either a…

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Earth Source Heat open house addresses community questions

By summer 2022, Cornell plans to drill a 10,000-foot hole to verify whether conditions underground will allow Earth Source Heat to warm campus and reduce the university’s carbon footprint.

Study provides keys to managing influx of EV batteries

A new Cornell-led study identifies several keys to sustainably managing the influx, with an emphasis on battery chemistry, second-life applications and recycling.

Cornell’s Chatrchyan represents Armenia at COP26 talks

Working with the Armenian delegation at COP26, Allison Chatrchyan aims to shape U.N. agriculture policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration.  

Bitcoin mining yields climate chaos, faculty tell NYS Assembly

Four Cornell faculty testified to the NYS Assembly Oct. 27 on how firing up once-shuttered carbon-based power plants – to process cryptocurrency – could pause environmental progress.

Scientists bring efficiency to expanding offshore wind energy

Cornell research shows how to make offshore wind farms more efficient in the face of impending rapid expansion, as the U.S. Department of the Interior plans leasing federal waters.